Klarinet Archive - Posting 000143.txt from 2008/07

From: Simon Aldrich <simonaldrich@-----.ca>
Subj: [kl] Re: Piano quintets
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:10:26 -0400

Richard asked:
> Is anyone familiar with the piano quintets (piano + four winds) by
> Ferdinand Thieriot and William Hurlstone? Specifically, Quintet in A
> minor, opus 80, by Thieriot, for oboe, clarinet, french horn, bassoon
> and piano; and Quintet in G minor by Hurlstone for flute, clarinet,
> french horn, bassoon and piano. I'd like to know if either of these =20=

> are
> worth looking into. Thanks for any opinions that you care to share.

I have played the Thieriot, but in his arrangement for clarinet, =20
strings and piano.
Violin plays the oboe part, viola the horn and cello the bassoon. When =20=

you buy the piece you have the option of ordering the extra parts.

The piece is average. There are nice bits that lead you to think the =20
piece will be compelling but then it flattens out.
The string players did not like the Thieriot. Audience members' =20
opinions were less harsh but not overwhelming.
Knowing the scarcity of cl/str/pno chamber music, I was just glad to =20
be playing something new.
Listening to the recording afterwards, I could not help but share the =20=

opinion that the piece was mediocre.
However everyone thought it would sound better played by winds.

--------------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich

Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Op=E9ra de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne=

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